Maria Jose Alonso

Professor María José Alonso Fernández is an internationally recognised biomedical engineer and pharmaceutical scientist with a distinguished career in drug delivery, nanomedicine, and translational biopharmaceutics. She holds a Master’s degree in Pharmacy and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology from the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC). Her research programme, MJ Alonso Lab, at the Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), USC, is a global leader in the design and translation of advanced nanocarrier systems for therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, nucleic acids (including siRNA and mRNA), and vaccines, particularly in the contexts of precision oncology and mucosal delivery.
Her laboratory has pioneered innovative strategies in nanopharmaceutical technology, linking fundamental biomaterials science with clinical translation. Professor Alonso has led major consortia supported by the World Health Organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the European Commission, contributing to breakthroughs in nanovaccines, targeted drug carriers, and polymer–lipid hybrid systems.
She has authored hundreds of scientific publications, is inventor on numerous patent families licensed to industry, and has played formative roles in academic governance, including service as Vice-Rector of Research and Innovation at USC. Her leadership extends to professional societies, including serving as President of the Controlled Release Society and Editor-in-Chief of Drug Delivery and Translational Research.
Professor Alonso’s contributions have been recognised with multiple national and international distinctions, including Spain’s National Research Award, the King Jaume I Award on New Technologies, election to the US National Academy of Medicine (NAM), fellowship in the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), and membership in several national and international scientific academies.